Subdural Empyema in a 13-Year-Old Male With History of Head Trauma: A Case Report

Bishal Budha1, Sachet Subedi1, Samir Sedhai1

  • 1Maharajgunj Medical Campus, Institute of Medicine Tribhuvan University Kathmandu Nepal.

Clinical Case Reports
|November 21, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Subdural empyema, a serious brain infection, requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. This case highlights successful management of a pediatric patient with surgical drainage and antibiotics.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurosurgery

Background:

  • Subdural empyema is a rare, severe intracranial infection involving pus accumulation between the dura mater and arachnoid.
  • Infections often spread from adjacent sites like sinusitis, otitis media, or osteomyelitis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present a case of subdural empyema in a pediatric patient.
  • To illustrate the management of subdural empyema through surgical intervention and antibiotic therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Diagnosis was confirmed using radiological imaging.
  • Treatment involved surgical drainage of the empyema.
  • Intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics were administered.

Main Results:

  • The 13-year-old male patient was successfully managed.
  • Prompt surgical drainage and antibiotic treatment led to a positive outcome.

Conclusions:

  • Early diagnosis and prompt, multi-modal treatment are critical for managing subdural empyema.
  • Surgical intervention combined with antibiotics is an effective strategy for pediatric subdural empyema.

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